Hired before Graduation

One of the giant steps for homeless clients at Project WeHOPE is landing a job. Yet for 27 members of the 2017 graduating classes, it was goal achieved, including many who were hired for positions that they would begin after completing their trainings. “We specifically target job training and certification in high demand sectors including custodial technician, security officer and food handler,” said Alicia Garcia, Associate Director of Project WeHOPE and head of the HOPE Jobs training program.

“Our clients are well trained, certified and screened, so our network of employers knows they can bring new staff on board who can hit the ground running. For the men and women in our programs, this is an important step toward transforming their lives to self-sufficiency, so they can become healthy, employed and housed.” In addition to job training, numerous courses and programs are offered free of charge to homeless clients at the Project WeHOPE shelter and the broader community. The courses range from healing from post-traumatic stress disorder and world-class relationships to financial literacy and housing readiness. Thanks to the generosity of donors and volunteers, all are offered free of charge for the participants.

Three times annually, Project WeHOPE holds graduation ceremonies, complete with caps, gowns, a keynote address and plenty of music including the strains of Pomp and Circumstance. Clients who complete programs receive certificates and toss their caps into the air, then enjoy a celebratory banquet at the shelter. For many it is the first time they have been so honored. And perhaps it’s also the first time they have so eagerly looked forward to new jobs and new futures. On behalf of the graduates, Project WeHOPE extends great thanks to the following who make HOPE Jobs and our classes possible.

Classes: The Palo Alto Weekly Holiday Fund (funding), Intuit (resume writing).
We wish all our clients a successful transformation into their transition from homelessness and fully are committed to seeing their ambitions bear the fruit of all their hard work here at Project WeHOPE.